GENEVA FORUM

Connecting finance, science, and the field: twenty-four years of collective learning

Admin — 2025-11-01T14:12:15Z

Testimonial:

When we founded the Geneva Forum in 2001, we wanted to create a neutral space where diplomats, scientists, entrepreneurs, and citizens could turn ideas into concrete action.

Twenty-four years later, in December 2025, we will hold the 17ᵗʰ edition of this Forum. It will be an opportunity to reflect on the path taken and, above all, to reaffirm a conviction: the future of international cooperation lies in impact engineering.

A Shared Observation: The Money Exists, but Not the “Investable” Projects

Each year, the investment needs for the Sustainable Development Goals exceed USD 4 trillion in developing countries.
At the same time, impact finance has reached USD 1.571 trillion in assets under management.
Yet, these two worlds still struggle to connect.

Analyses by the OECD and GIIN show that the real deficit is not money, but the lack of structured, measurable, and governable projects.
Public and private organizations generate relevant initiatives, but often fragmented, with heterogeneous metrics and economic models too fragile to attract institutional finance.

Why Does This Gap Persist?

Engineering deficit: the majority of projects lack financial structuring and solid governance frameworks.
Fragmentation of actors: institutional silos increase transaction costs.
Heterogeneous metrics: each agency, NGO, or investor applies its own standards.
Lack of neutral intermediation: few spaces exist where NGOs, businesses, researchers, and investors can co-create coherent pipelines.
Decline in traditional flows: FDI and official development assistance are at their lowest levels since 2005.

In this context, neutral platforms like International Geneva become essential: they help reduce fragmentation, harmonize indicators, and make projects legible to finance.

The Role of the Geneva Forum: A Cross-Silo Impact Factory

The Geneva Forum has emerged as an operational extension of major international events – Building Bridges for finance, Geneva Health Forum for health, Geneva Peace Week for peace, or high-level UN sessions.
We play a complementary role: that of concretization.

Transforming discussions into tangible impact projects;
Connecting science Science La science est désormais l'affaire de tous. Découvrez la science d'une manière ludique et active. Nous vous proposons d'en découvrir plus sur nos expéditions à la voile, découverte du plancton. , fieldwork, and finance through cross-silo alliances;
Developing a shared project engineering approach, inspired by the AGILE framework;
Creating blended finance windows where public and private funds co-invest on measurable bases.

Our method relies on a clear cycle: pitch → workshop → co-modeling → financial structuring.
Each project goes through a phase of engineering, impact measurement, and then validation by partner investors.

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Three Priorities for 2025–2026

1. Standardize engineering: provide a shared framework for project design and evaluation (AGILE + due diligence).
2. Structure transversal value chains: ocean, nature, project-based education, regenerative tourism – turned into real investment products.
3. Establish a “deal-ready” pipeline: projects ready for financing, with harmonized KPIs (IRIS+, ISSB).

These actions aim to create a lasting momentum: fewer conferences, more structuring deals.

Strong Alliances and Clear Differentiation

Our strengths lie in the neutrality of International Geneva, our UN anchoring, and our ability to orchestrate multi-stakeholder collaboration.
We align our work with the frameworks of the GIIN, the OECD, Convergence, and UN programs.
We also integrate citizen science Science La science est désormais l'affaire de tous. Découvrez la science d'une manière ludique et active. Nous vous proposons d'en découvrir plus sur nos expéditions à la voile, découverte du plancton. and regenerative approaches as levers for measurement (MRV) and traceability.

The Forum operates in partnership with Building Bridges, development banks, ocean and forest funds, and European programs around the rights of nature.

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The Numbers That Matter

USD 4 trillion: annual SDG investment gap.
USD 1.571 trillion: current size of impact finance.
USD 70 billion: capital mobilized via public instruments in 2023.
94%: investors satisfied with financial and impact performance.
Decline in FDI: lowest level since 2005.

These figures show that private mobilization remains too low, but confidence in hybrid models (PPP, guarantees, patient capital) is growing rapidly.

Established Trends and Weak Signals

Continued growth in impact assets and rising importance of climate windows.
Gradual standardization of IRIS+ and ISSB indicators.
Emergence of regenerative tourism as a transversal driver across environment, education, and local economy.
Emergence of financial clauses incorporating rights of nature.
Increasing use of citizen science as a performance-based financing measurement tool.

These weak signals point to a systemic transformation: value creation will increasingly depend on solving planetary challenges.

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Towards an Integrated Impact Economy

Through the AGILE framework, the Geneva Forum supports the implementation of projects integrating:

an inter-silo design;
shared indicators;
result traceability;
and blended financing from public, private, and citizen partnerships.

Our ambition: professionalize the impact value chain while preserving the human and participatory dimension.

A Moving Laboratory of Cooperation

We have set up a quarterly Deal-Factory in Geneva, a shared KPI framework AGILE×IRIS+, and blended finance windows co-developed with OECD and Convergence partners.
Each quarter, several projects move from idea stage to term sheet, with initial concrete financial mobilizations.

This continuous experimentation model relies on a learning loop:

monthly reviews,
A/B testing of workshop formats,
mini-RCTs to measure the effectiveness of incentives.

A Collective Call

International Geneva is not a static symbol: it is a living infrastructure of cooperation.
It must now reinvent itself as the epicenter of impact finance and regenerative economic diplomacy.
The Geneva Forum 2025, from December 8 to 12, will offer this space: a place where diplomacy, innovation, and the real economy meet.

We invite you to take part – not as spectators, but as co-authors of this global transformation.

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Collective dive for the Ocean: heading to Nice to invent tomorrow's solutions together

Admin — 2025-04-07T18:13:37Z

From June 3 to 12, 2025, a wind of innovation will blow through Nice. Researchers, students, entrepreneurs, educators, artists, local officials, and funders from all over the world will gather there for an extraordinary experience: the “Participatory Science Science La science est désormais l'affaire de tous. Découvrez la science d'une manière ludique et active. Nous vous proposons d'en découvrir plus sur nos expéditions à la voile, découverte du plancton. for Ocean” Hackathon. Initiated by the Geneva Forum in partnership with Terra Scientifica, the Université Côte d'Azur and Objectif Sciences International, this event promises to be a living laboratory where ideas take shape in service of a vital cause: the preservation of the Ocean.

A meeting of science Science La science est désormais l'affaire de tous. Découvrez la science d'une manière ludique et active. Nous vous proposons d'en découvrir plus sur nos expéditions à la voile, découverte du plancton. , commitment, and creativity

The hackathon will not be a simple competition of ideas, but a space for co-construction, designed to generate concrete, viable, and transformative projects. Over ten afternoons, multidisciplinary teams will combine their talents to prototype solutions around themes as diverse as sustainable transport, restoration of marine ecosystems, combating illegal fishing, blue energy production, and experiential education.

Guided by a rigorous and supportive methodology, participants will leave not only with a completed project sheet ready to be presented at the UN Ocean Conference, but also with an expanded network, reusable tools, and a certificate of competence in participatory pedagogy.

Who's expected on board?

This event is open to anyone who wishes to take action for the oceans in new ways:

Impact innovators and young oceanographic enterprises;
Researchers and engineers passionate about interdisciplinarity;
Students eager to turn their knowledge into action;
NGOs and field operators seeking new partnerships;
Impact investors looking for promising projects;
Teachers, mediators, artists, and facilitators who know how to inspire imagination.

A springboard to action, rooted in the Forum ecosystem

This hackathon is fully aligned with the dynamic of the Geneva Forum, in coherence with its key themes: citizen science Science La science est désormais l'affaire de tous. Découvrez la science d'une manière ludique et active. Nous vous proposons d'en découvrir plus sur nos expéditions à la voile, découverte du plancton. , impact finance, rights of nature, project-based education, and resilient tourism. It represents a strategic step in the lifecycle of impact projects supported by the Forum — from ideation to concrete implementation, including prototyping, evaluation, coaching, and connecting with funders.

What's in it for you

Each team will benefit from personalized support to:

Test the technical and economic feasibility of its ideas;
Access varied expertise (solution design, logistics, collaborative governance...);
Pitch their project before a jury during the UN Conference;
Compete for international visibility and funding opportunities.

The most promising projects will be supported through to implementation and highlighted via the Geneva Forum's visibility channels.

Practical info & registration

Nice, France
From June 3 to 12, 2025, every afternoon
See the program and register
€200 discount with the code `St1-GF` (offered by the Geneva Forum)

The future of the Ocean is also shaped on land, where women and men choose to act together.
In June 2025 in Nice, we invite you to be part of this collective adventure.

Climb aboard. And together, let's imagine a living, protected Ocean.

Participatory Science Projects for Sustainable Development - Impact and Innovations of Practice-Based Training in the Design and Facilitation

Admin — 2025-02-11T11:32:22Z

Participatory research takes various forms, ranging from citizen science Science La science est désormais l'affaire de tous. Découvrez la science d'une manière ludique et active. Nous vous proposons d'en découvrir plus sur nos expéditions à la voile, découverte du plancton. , focused on data collection, to participatory research involving the full co-construction of projects. These approaches aim to bring science Science La science est désormais l'affaire de tous. Découvrez la science d'une manière ludique et active. Nous vous proposons d'en découvrir plus sur nos expéditions à la voile, découverte du plancton. closer to society by actively involving non-specialists in knowledge production. However, the success of these projects depends on the ability to effectively design and facilitate initiatives. This article examines the impact of practice-based training, structured around project-based pedagogy, in addressing this need.

Check out this training on the design and facilitation of a Participatory Science project

Pedagogical and Methodological Innovations

The training, designed by Objectif Sciences International and Step and Go, stands out for:

A balance between theory and practice: Theoretical modules are immediately followed by practical workshops, allowing participants to build a project throughout the training.
Diverse and adapted formats:
- Project Design + Facilitation Edition: Multi-day hackathons held in dynamic cities (Paris, Nice, etc.), fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Special Facilitation Edition: Intensive residential courses in inspiring environments (e.g., the Alps) to focus on scientific mediation and group facilitation.
A unique pedagogical progression: Developed over 30 years of experience, this methodology integrates scientific, pedagogical, and organizational challenges in a comprehensive approach.

**Examples and Case Studies**
Several projects illustrate the effectiveness of this approach:

Local environmental monitoring: Citizens mobilized to measure air quality and track biodiversity indicators in their region, working closely with researchers to interpret the collected data.
Participatory research project with impact: A project aimed at improving natural resource management involved local stakeholders at every stage, from defining research questions to analyzing results. This model generated concrete solutions tailored to the specific needs of the community [1].

Check out this training on the design and facilitation of a Participatory Science project

Advantages of Practice-Based Training

The observed benefits are numerous:

Rapid skill development: Immersive practice facilitates the acquisition of expertise in project management, group facilitation, and the use of collaborative tools.
Strengthened collaboration: The training fosters the creation of a network of professionals and citizens who share common values of sustainable development.
Adaptability and innovation: Active methods (role-playing, simulations) enable participants to test innovative approaches and adapt to unexpected situations.
Societal impact: By integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from the project's inception, the training helps make research more relevant and grounded in society's real needs.

Check out this training on the design and facilitation of a Participatory Science project

Discussion

The practical approach adopted in this training is based on a mixed epistemological framework, combining pragmatic, constructivist, and empirical perspectives. This plurality allows for:

Valuing local knowledge by integrating it into the research process.
Ensuring transparency and shared responsibility between scientists and citizens.
Stimulating innovation by developing hybrid projects that combine fundamental and applied research.

Experience gained from projects such as biodiversity monitoring or community resource management confirms the relevance of this approach in generating measurable impacts both in the field and within the scientific community.

Check out this training on the design and facilitation of a Participatory Science project

Conclusion

Practice-based training, structured around project-based pedagogy, represents a significant advancement in the design and facilitation of participatory science Science La science est désormais l'affaire de tous. Découvrez la science d'une manière ludique et active. Nous vous proposons d'en découvrir plus sur nos expéditions à la voile, découverte du plancton. projects for sustainable development. It not only trains individuals capable of leading ambitious collaborative projects but also transforms how research is conceived and conducted, placing citizen participation at the heart of the process.

References

1. Haklay, M. (2013). Citizen Science Science La science est désormais l'affaire de tous. Découvrez la science d'une manière ludique et active. Nous vous proposons d'en découvrir plus sur nos expéditions à la voile, découverte du plancton. and Volunteered Geographic Information: Overview and Typology of Participation. AGILE Conference Proceedings.
2. Bonney, R. et al. (2009). Citizen Science: A Developing Tool for Expanding Science Knowledge and Scientific Literacy. BioScience.

Check out this training on the design and facilitation of a Participatory Science project

Since-2001-Sustainable-Development-Projects-have-their-own-Business-Forum

Admin — 2024-10-27T15:06:16Z

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Attend a Conference

Admin — 2024-10-27T15:05:13Z

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New Web Site of the Geneva Forum

Admin — 2024-10-27T14:55:02Z

Be the first to discover the new version of the Geneva Forum

Nous avons le plaisir de vous faire part du nouveau site web du Forum de Genève :

www.Geneva-Forum.com

qui remplacera dorénavant celui-ci.

La prochaine session aura lieu du 9 au 13 décembre 2024, à Genève.

Si vous vous créez un nouveau compte utilisateur sur ce nouveau site internet, vous serez alors informé automatiquement de la publication du programme détaillé des journées, et vous aurez accès aux modalités d'inscription.

Ce changement de site web intervient avec la nouvelle orientation éditoriale du Forum de Genève, dorénavant 100% centré sur l'avancement de vos projets :

Globaux
Internationaux
ou Locaux
qu'ils soient interprofessionnels ou centrés sur votre discipline.

Tout au long de la semaine, nous retrouvons les 7 Conférences Annuelles Internationales que le Forum porte depuis sa création historique en 2001 :

Finance à Impact (Philanthropie et Investissement),
Monnaies éthiques,
Tourisme résilient et régénératif,
Sciences Citoyennes,
Pédagogie de Projet,
Médiation de Conflit,
et bien sûr Droits de la Nature.

Chacune de ces conférences est organisée sur la forme propre à celle du Forum de Genève, que nous décrivons ici https://www.geneva-forum.com/Attend-a-conference.html?lang=fr

Nous sommes fiers d'avoir porté des innovations schématiques majeures dans la société depuis les premières éditions du Forum, et nous aurons l'occasion de publier prochainement quelques articles thématiques à ce sujet. En les attendant, vous retrouverez ici un historique du Forum depuis 2001 www.geneva-forum.com/Since-2001-Sustainable-Development-Projects-have-their-own-Business-Forum.html?lang=fr

A très bientôt de tous se retrouver en décembre,

New Web Site - Be the firsts to discover the NEW Geneva Forum

Admin — 2024-10-23T11:42:11Z

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PROGRAMME COMPLET EN DIRECT

Admin — 2024-10-23T11:40:38Z

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Première Edition du Forum de Genève Afrique 2023 - Nairobi - 28-29 Novembre 2023

Chloé LAROSE — 2024-01-23T02:35:42Z

Cycle annuel Geneva Forum

Chloé LAROSE — 2023-08-24T14:10:33Z

**Une année Geneva Forum :**
Janv.	Fév.	Mars	Avril	Mai	Juin	Juil.	Aout	Sept.	Oct.	Nov.	Déc.
-	Forum de Genève Asie Tokyo, Japon 1ère édition en 2027 Plus d'infos ici	-	Forum de Genève Amérique Nord New York, USA 1ère édition en 2025 Plus d'infos ici	Forum de Genève Amérique Sud Rio de Janeiro, Brésil 1ère édition en 2026 Plus d'infos ici	-	-	-	-	-	Forum de Genève Afrique Nairobi, Kenya Chaque année depuis 2023 Plus d'infos ici	FORUM DE GENEVE MONDE Genève, Suisse Colonie de vacances Valais Suisse Objectif Sciences International organise plusieurs colonies de vacances scientifiques dans le Valais Suisse, ainsi que d'autres vacances à la montagne en suisse, ce sur de nombreuses thématiques (nature, faune & flore, drones, géologie, architecture, paléontologie...). Pour plus d'informations, suivez ce lien sur les séjours nature. chaque année depuis 2011 Plus d'infos ici
Publication de la Revue Geneva Forum annuelle 1ère édition prévue en Janvier 2025	Annual Geneva Forum Webinaire n°1 Plus d'infos ici	-	-	-	Annual Geneva Forum Webinaire n°2	-	-	-	Annual Geneva Forum Webinaire n°3	-	-